Staff Member

I didn't see a specific thread about this aircraft and its progress, pictures, videos, etc, so thought I would start one as it has the potential to have such a huge impact on US and other nation's military.

Latest info in the two following videos:

Two F-35B (STOVL) US Marine variant Operate off of the USS LHD USS Wasp:

Please post articles and particularly project updates regarding the aircraft, including pictures and videos to this thread.

Early in 2011 there were a total of 19 F-35s already built, 13 F-35As for the US Air Force, 4 F-35Bs for the US Marines, and 2 F-35Cs for the US Navy. Throughout 2011 eleven more F-35s have been added for a total of 30 aircraft by the end of 2011.

The first production delivery of an F-35A to the US Air Force occurred in May of 2011. A total of eight production aircraft for the US Air Force have now been built.

Current plans call for, starting in 2012 and through 2014, the production rate to be about three aircraft per month...and then ramp up to full production thereafter. By that time, the US will have built 148 aircraft.

No problem. I especially like the video of the two F-35Bs on the Wasp. In the not too distant future, US and allied LHAs and LHDs and Sea control vessels will have wings of these very capable aircraft on them and it will change the nature of their capabilities.

I expect, at some point to really see a AEW version of the V-22 to augment this, and an ASW variant of the same.

Then, each small carrier will have significant capability on par with larger vessels, just less numbers of aircraft which do not have the range as full size carrier aircraft. But, if they develop a tanker V-22...they will help with the range issue as well...an EW V-22, or EW Variant of the JSF? Who knows!

No problem. I especially like the video of the two F-35Bs on the Wasp. In the not too distant future, US and allied LHAs and LHDs and Sea control vessels will have wings of these very capable aircraft on them and it will change the nature of their capabilities.

I expect, at some point to really see a AEW version of the V-22 to augment this, and an ASW variant of the same.

Then, each small carrier will have significant capability on par with larger vessels, just less numbers of aircraft which do not have the range as full size carrier aircraft. But, if they develop a tanker V-22...they will help with the range issue as well...an EW V-22, or EW Variant of the JSF? Who knows!

What I like the most of this aircraft is the STOVL that take off with neither catapult or ski jump.

Staff Member

What I like the most of this aircraft is the STOVL that take off with neither catapult or ski jump.

How come the wiring inside the bomb bay not hidden? Aren't afraid that those wiring might be damaged by the flame of the AMRAAM?

The missiles are ejected from the weapons bay before it fires up. If you've seen videos of F-22 firing missiles you can tell that they don't start up until they are a good distance away from the aircraft.

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